Eutrophication The magnitude of the risk of
ecosystem eutrophication and its geographical coverage has diminished
only slightly over the years. The predictions for 2010 and 2020 indicate
that the risk is still widespread over Europe. This is in conflict with
the EU's long-term objective of not exceeding critical loads of
airborne acidifying and eutrophying substances in sensitive ecosystem
areas (National Emission Ceilings Directive, 6th Environmental Action
Programme, Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution).
Acidification The situation has considerably
improved and it is predicted to improve further. The interim
environmental objective for 2010 (National Emission Ceilings Directive)
will most likely not be met completely. However, the European ecosystem
areas where the critical load will be exceeded is predicted to have
declined by more than 80 % in 2010 with 1990 as a base year. By 2020, it
is expected that the risk of ecosystem acidification will only be an
issue at some hot spots, in particular at the border area between the
Netherlands and Germany.
Ozone (O 3 ) Most
vegetation and agricultural crops are exposed to ozone levels exceeding the
long-term objective given in the EU Air Quality Directive. A significant
fraction is also exposed to levels above the 2010 target value defined in the
Directive. Concentrations in 2008 were on the average higher than in 2007. The
effect-related accumulated concentrations, addressing exposure of crops to
ozone over several summer months, shows large year-to-year variations, there is
a non-significance tendency to increase.

Emissions of the acidifying pollutants (nitrogen oxides (NO X ), sulphur oxides (SO X ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) have decreased significantly in most of the individual EEA member countries between 1990 and 2009. Emissions of SO X have decreased by 76%, NO X by 41% and NH 3 emissions by 26% since 1990.
The EU-27 is on track to meet its overall target to reduce emissions of SO X and NH 3 as specified by the EU’s National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD). However a number of individual Member States, and the EU as a whole, anticipates missing their NECD 2010 emission ceilings for NO X .
Of the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings for 2010 under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), both Liechtenstein and Norway reported NO X emissions in 2009 that were substantially higher than their respective 2010 ceilings.

Emissions of the main ground-level ozone precursor pollutants have decreased across the EEA-32 region between 1990 and 2009; nitrogen oxides (NO X ) by 41%, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) by 51%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 61%, and methane (CH 4 ) by 27%.
This decrease has been achieved mainly as a result of the introduction of catalytic converters for vehicles. These changes have significantly reduced emissions of NO X and CO from the road transport sector, the main source of ozone precursor emissions.
The EU-27 is still some way from meeting its 2010 target to reduce emissions of NO X , one of the two ozone precursors (NO X and NMVOC) for which emission limits exist under the EU’s National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD). Whilst total NMVOC emissions in the EU-27 were below the NECD limit in 2009, a number of individual Member States anticipate missing their ceilings for one or either of these two pollutants.
Of the three non-EU countries having emission ceilings for 2010 set under the UNECE/CLRTAP Gothenburg protocol (Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), all three countries reported NMVOC emissions in 2009 that were lower than their respective 2010 ceilings. However both Liechtenstein and Norway reported NO X emissions in 2009 that were substantially higher than their respective 2010 ceilings.

This chart shows past emission trends of nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compunds (NMVOC), carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4) in the EEA-32 and EU-27 group of countries. In addition - for the EU-27 - the aggregated Member State 2010 emission ceilings for NOx and NMVOC are shown.

This chart shows past emission trends of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx) and ammonia (NH3) in the EEA-32 and EU-27 group of countries. In addition - for the EU-27 - the aggregated Member State 2010 emission ceilings for the respective pollutants are shown

Maps showing changes in the extent to which European ecosystems are exposed to acid deposition (i.e. where the critical load limits for acidification are exceeded). Values for 2010 are predicted based on adherence to implementation of NEC Directive.